The Government came under fire today over the number of public servants heading to the Beijing Olympics at a reported £7million cost, amid accusations the event was being treated as a "junket".

Prime Minister Gordon Brown, who is flying out for the closing ceremony, will be accompanied by 20 aides at a cost of £114,000, the Daily Telegraph reported.

Many bodies involved in organising the 2012 London games are sending representatives, with London Mayor Boris Johnson taking 13 staff at a reported £167,000, while the London Development Agency has spent £3million to hire a private members' club.

Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell, Culture Secretary Andy Burnham, Sport Minister Gerry Sutcliffe and 10 Department for Culture, Media and Sport officials will attend the Games at a £75,000 cost. Another 11 Whitehall ministers and officials will visit.

In total, 639 people at a cost of £6,846,700 will attend, the majority BBC staff involved in the broadcaster's coverage of the games.

Liberal Democrat culture spokesman Don Foster said: "Questions have to be asked. I'm staggered by the amount of money some departments are spending."

A Downing Street spokesman said Mr Brown's staff "worked hard to ensure the appropriate number accompany him".

• 

  London takes its first step inside the 2012 Olympic Stadium

  Getting a glimpse inside the Olympic Stadium is “a Neil Armstrong” moment for our architecture critic

  ---

• 

  How the 2012 Olympic site will look in the end

  See how the Olympic Park will look including designs for the main stadium, athletes village, velodrome and BMX track

  ---